Major reseal of SH67 into Westport

A half million dollars worth of pavement rehabilitation and sealing work on the southern section of SH67 into Westport starts on Thursday 19 November 2009.

A half million dollars worth of pavement rehabilitation and sealing work on the southern section of SH67 into Westport starts on Thursday 19 November 2009.

The contract for the work has gone to Oldfields and involves replacing a significant amount of road pavement on a 520 metre section of SH67.

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Canterbury-West Coast State Highways Manager Colin Knaggs says between now and early next year work will be carried out on three blocks of Palmerston St from Bentham St to Rintoul St. This is the first phase of works to upgrade the highway, later next year the next two blocks nearer to town up to Brougham Street will be addressed. The extent of the works, and the weather conditions required, have meant that that there is simply not enough time to complete all this work before or after Christmas in one go. The work is expected to finish by late February 2010. The Buller District Council is taking the opportunity to carry out work on its underground utility services while the road surface is exposed.

“The NZTA is very aware of the impact this project on business and motel owners during the busy summer tourist season, but that there is no other suitable time to carry it out. We are carrying out the work one block at a time to keep disruptions to a minimum.

Colin Knaggs says major local events such as the Buller marathon, will be managed as best they can around the works. The weather will have a major influence on how quickly the project is completed, but by planning it at this time of the year the effects of wet weather will be minimised.

The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.